New York State voters support 51 - 41 percent, with 8 percent undecided, a law allowing same-sex couples
to marry, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This is the first poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University showing support
for same-sex marriage in New York State, where voters split 46 - 46 percent on this issue in a May 14
survey and opposed same-sex marriage 55 - 37 percent in an April 15, 2004, poll.

Voters who attend religious services at least once a week are opposed 63 - 31 percent, while those
who attend less frequently support same-sex marriages 61 - 31 percent. Support also rises with income and
education level.

New York State voters support same-sex civil unions 68 - 25 percent, with support from all groups,
including 55 - 37 percent among Republicans. Overall support was 65 - 27 percent May 14.

"It's the slimmest of majorities, but for the first time in a Quinnipiac University poll of New York
State, same-sex marriage is ahead," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute. "Supporters have worked hard in the last six weeks, moving the needle from dead even to slightly
ahead. Who knows how far they can move that needle in the next six weeks if the State Legislature doesn't
act.

"It is interesting to note that support for same-sex civil unions, which gay marriage advocates say is
an unacceptable alternative, has barely moved," Carroll added.

Given three choices:

46 percent of New York State voters say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry;

27 percent say they should be allowed to form civil unions;

20 percent say there should be no legal recognition.
Mayoral Control of New York City Schools

New York State voters say 51 - 33 percent that the State Legislature should renew the law that
gives the New York City Mayor control of the public schools. Support is 61 - 32 percent among New
York City voters and 63 - 23 percent in the suburbs, while upstate voters split with 37 percent in favor of
mayoral control and 38 percent opposed.

But when voters are asked if the Mayor should share control of the schools with the New York City
Council, they agree 50 - 37 percent. Voters do not agree 43 - 40 percent, that the Mayor should share
school control with the borough presidents, a public office about which few people outside of New York
City are aware.

"Voters overall think Mayor Michael Bloomberg, or his successor, should retain control of New
York City schools. Support is higher among suburban voters, who have experience with school boards,
than it is among New York City voters, who have experience with Bloomberg," Carroll said.

"Just as in last week's Quinnipiac University poll of New York City voters, voters would like to
have the Mayor share control with the City Council. Since nobody north of The Bronx knows what a
borough president is, they didn't fare so well.

"And of course none of this means anything unless the State Senate puts its house in order and gets
back to work."

From June 16 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,477 New York State registered voters, with a
margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public
service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

31. As you may know, in New York City the mayor has control of the public
schools. Mayoral control of the New York City public schools expires this year,
unless the state legislature renews it. Do you think mayoral control of the
New York City public schools should continue or not?

TREND: Would you support or oppose a law that would allow civil unions for
same-sex couples?

Jun 23 May 14
2009 2009
Support 68 65
Oppose 25 27
DK/NA 7 8

36. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should
be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed
to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should
be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed
to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?